Ramnit morphed into a financial malware, or at least was used as a platform to commit financial fraud.
[/U]Ramnit can infect Windows executable files, HTML files, office files and
possibly other file types as well
-continuously communicate with the Command and Control (C&C) server, reporting on its status and receiving configuration updates; inbound and outbound communication is over SSL (https).
The malware includes a Man-in-the-Browser (MitB) web injection module, which enables Ramnit to modify web pages (client-side), modify transaction content, insert additional transactions, etc. - all in a completely covert fashion invisible to both the user and host application.
Following is a partial list of Ramnit components:
- Proprietary "windows installer" (Download and Execute)
- Hooker & MITB web injects (Zeus bundle)
- FTP Grabber
- FTP server
- Cookie Graber
- Anti Debugging/Anti AV
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Win32/Ramnit.A is a
file infector with
IRCBot functionality which
infects .exe, and
.HTML/
HTM files, and
opens a back door that
compromises your computer.
Using this backdoor, a remote attacker can access and instruct the infected computer to download and execute more malicious files. The infected .HTML or .HTM files may be detected as
Virus:VBS/Ramnit.A.
Win32/Ramnit.A!dll is a related
file infector often seen with this infection. It too has
IRCBot functionality which
infects .exe, .dll and
.HTML/
HTM files and
opens a back door that
compromises your computer. This component is injected into the default web browser by
Worm:Win32/Ramnit.A which is dropped by a Ramnit infected executable file.
With this particular infection the safest solution and only sure way to remove it effectively is to ]reformat and reinstall the OS. Here's why:
The malware injects code in legitimate files similar to the Virut virus and in many cases the infected files (which could number in the thousands) cannot be disinfected properly by your anti-virus. When disinfection is attempted, the files often become corrupted and the system may become unstable or irreparable. The longer Ramnit.A remains on a computer, the more files it infects and corrupts so the degree of infection can vary.
Ramnit is commonly spread via a flash drive (usb, pen, thumb, jump) infection where it copies Worm:Win32/Ramnit.A with a random file name. The infection is often contracted by visiting remote, crack and keygen sites. These type of sites are infested with malware and a major source of system infection.
In my opinion, Ramnit.A is not effectively curable, so your best option is to perform a full reformat as there is no guarantee this infection can be completely removed. In most instances it may have caused so much damage to your system files that it cannot be completely cleaned or repaired. Further, your machine has likely been compromised by the backdoor Trojan and there is no way to be sure the computer can ever be trusted again. It is dangerous and incorrect to assume the computer is secure even if your anti-virus reports that the malware appears to have been removed.
Please read:
Whenever a system has been compromised by a backdoor payload, it is impossible to know if or how much the backdoor has been used to affect your system...There are only a few ways to return a compromised system to a confident security configuration. These include:
• Reimaging the system
• Restoring the entire system using a full system backup from before the backdoor infection
• Reformatting and reinstalling the system
Important Note:: If your computer was used for online banking, has credit card information or other sensitive data on it, you should disconnect from the Internet until your system is cleaned. All passwords should be changed immediately to to include those used for banking, email, eBay, paypal and any online activities which require a username and password. You should consider them to be compromised. You should change each password using a clean computer and not the infected one. If not, an attacker may get the new passwords and transaction information. Banking and credit card institutions should be notified of the possible security breach. Failure to notify your financial institution and local law enforcement can result in refusal to reimburse funds lost due to fraud or similar criminal activity.
I realize that this is not good news for you. But when you system has been reformatted and reinstalled, I suggest you avoid the file sharing and downloads from unsafe sites.
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You will find excellent reformat/reinstall instructions here:
http://www.tech-101.com/support/ind...and-repair-xp-vista-7/page__p__5329#entry5329
